Since your main theme is to keep your scope as light weight as possible and follow in your rifle`s footsteps, then I would go with the Leupold light weight or ultra lite VX11 in a 3x9........Off the top of my head, I can`t think of a lighter 3x9 variable. I`m in agreement with Tahqua!

you do realize that your better quality scopes weigh more due to better glass just something to think about, maybe sacrificing a few ounces of scope weight to gain better quality scope the 3x9 bushnell elite 4200 comes in at 13 oz and thats a pretty good scope.

Noknees..........................Army_ eod does bring up an interesting point there. The VX11`s are not going to give you greatest glass of which I should have mentioned earlier. You basically pay more for Leupold as opposed to other scopes which are better for less money........So! You may have to make a compromise between size/weight and optic quality. The Weaver Grand Slam previously mentioned is a good scope for the money. I`ve seen them.........However, the Elite 4200`s optic quality, Rainguard which really works in any weather, its construction & durability, IMHO, is the best scope on the market for the money & will give you a lifetime of excellent service......I have one! But, my 3 x 9 weighs 13 oz. & is 12.6" long. That may not work for you though.................You may need to do some homework on this one!

I have a Bushnell Elite on a Ti 270. Size and weight is about right, but the "eyebox" on this scope does not compare to the fixed Leupold you mentioned. Your eye position is very critical on the Bushnell compared to the Leupold. I am considering switching to this: http://www.swfa.com/pc-3618-94-leupold-6x42-fx-iii-riflescop e.aspx

It weighs right at 11oz., has better optics than VX-II, is priced at your max limit, and is a very compact scope. It lacks a little on upper magnification compared to today's trends, but really 6X is plenty for most big game hunting, and a super light rifle isn't usually a good long range rig anyway. Leupold isn't generally my first brand choice either, but I have a couple of these scopes, and I love them on compact rifles. This happens to be one of those areas where I think Leupy has a niche. In my view, this particular scope is one of the lesser known gems out there for use with super light rifles because it balances decent optics with extreme compactness and reasonable cost, which is really hard to find. My other favorite super light "mountain rifle" scope is the Swaro AV 3-9X36 which weighs slightly more than the VX-III 1.75-6, but is also priced at more than 2X your budget. In general, I do not like so-called "compact" scopes, as they typically come with some serious optical tradeoffs in FOV, eye relief, and optical aberrations. These two scopes are compact without the "compact scope" optical problems.

Edited by RifleDude

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

I do agree that leupold does extract a price for its optics. On the rare ocasion that I purchased a Leupold I always figured I was paying for good customer service and a big eye box. . My only current leupies are a 6x42 and a 2.5x8x36 VXIII. I have no complaints optically and the 2.5x8 could work pretty well on the Titanium. I haven't seen a fxII 4x33 in person. How would it compare to a burris fullfield at 4x? Or a burris signature at the same magnification?

I have 4200 3x9 and its quite good opically but the eye relief is pretty critical for a rifle that I will be carring around and may need to shoulder quickly.

If I increase my weight limit to say 12.5 oz.. There are lots of great scopes availible.

In the 11 oz. weight, $400 and less price range category, I truly believe the VX-III 1.75-6X32 is your best option. All other "compact" variables either lack optical performance, weight more, have too critical ER, cost more, or don't have more than 4-5X upper magnification. However, other than just looking at "paper" specs, I honestly doubt you'd notice any difference between a 11 oz and a 13 oz scope on your rifle.

Edited by RifleDude

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

I do like the look of the 1.75x6x32.. also in that same class is the 2.5x8x36..Both are nice scopes. If I go through with a variable Leupie the advantage is I won't have to buy a new scope. I have a 2.5x8 on an unused rifle and I have a Nikon 3x9 monarch that I bought on closeout..so I could put the Nikon on the other rifle and free up the 2.5x8 for the titanium. The bonus being with the $400 I save I can almost pay for the next step in the project.. A new barrel after this season.

If you can up the ante a little, U-frnd's suggestion of the Kahles AH 2-7X36 is a great option. It weighs about 12.5 oz., and even at the Sample List price, it's a little over your budget, however it's a wonderful little scope! Definitely better optically than any Leupold, and the price is very good since that is a discontinued model. It is approx the same length as the Leupold, so it's pretty compact.

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

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